Most asked about
Visas & residency in Almería
Non-Lucrative Visa, Digital Nomad Visa, or EU registration. I work out the right route for your circumstances, prepare the whole application, and come to the appointment with you.
I specialise in immigration to the Almería, Murcia and Alicante regions specifically — the rules vary by autonomous region and province, so local specialism matters more than people expect.
I know the extranjería offices and the people who work in them, because I'm there with clients again and again — not just once in a while. That means when we go together, there are no surprises: you'll know exactly where we're going and roughly what's going to happen at every step. It's what turns a process that can otherwise feel like a black box into something clear and calm, with the mystery and the stress taken out of it.
EU/EEA nationals
You have freedom of movement and don't need a visa. Next steps are empadronamiento, an NIE, and a TIE residency card if you're staying more than 3 months.
Non-EU nationals, including British
You'll need a visa: the Non-Lucrative Visa (retirees or those living on passive income, no working), the Digital Nomad Visa (remote workers), a work permit (Spanish employment), or a student visa.
I start from the very beginning
No one else in the local groups offers this: I apply for your ACRO police certificate, book your BLS appointment, and prepare all the documentation. You don't have to meet me — I can do everything online.
Your visa is sorted — but you're not done yet
Padrón, exchanging a UK driving licence for a Spanish one, healthcare entitlements, registering with a doctor. I've seen which window at the town hall you need, and I'll make sure you're not turned away for turning up without the right document.
The full residency journey
Non-Lucrative Visa → renewal → permanent residency (EX-11) after 5 years, when you stop needing to renew → citizenship, which you can apply for from year 8 and is actionable at year 10 (requires Spanish language and cultural exams).
Family reunification
Reagrupación familiar needs an informe de habitabilidad — I can guide you through it.
Driving licence exchange
If you hold a UK or Irish licence, I'll advise whether you can swap it directly, whether a test is needed, and what you can drive in the meantime.
Healthcare
Private cover, or registering with Social Security via the S1 — I'll help you work out which applies to you.
Your medical certificate
Required for the visa. I arrange it here in Spain — around €50, for example at EV Medical in Vera — which is cheaper than a private UK clinic, done correctly the first time, and needs no translation. If you're visiting to view property, this is worth doing while you're here.
Working in Spain
Options include securing a contract first and applying for residency after, going self-employed (autónomo) via a work visa, or arriving on the Non-Lucrative Visa and switching later. I also advise on business plans for autónomo or SL set-ups.
How the process works
I send you the requirements plus an authorisation empowering me to act for you, and a hoja de encargo — a clear fee sheet. Expenses, translations, and taxes are explicitly not included, so there are no surprise bills.
For UK-side documents, I work with a UK notary for urgent matters and a UK administration channel for apostille and legalisation via the Foreign Office.
Why work with me
Most of my clients are in their 70s, doing this once in their life. I've done it hundreds of times — I won't make you fill out the same form twenty times to get it right.
Do it from Spain while you're visiting
If you're coming out to view property or areas, I can handle the documents that are cheaper and simpler done locally — the medical certificate, translations — while you're here, reducing your cost and risk.
…the way she can 'sniff out' a way to do things — rather than a sweeping statement, she takes time to understand the situation and really look at the legal side of things to understand the nuances. NLV client, Mojácar, Almería
Common questions
Do I need a visa to retire in Spain after Brexit?
Yes. As a British national you're no longer covered by EU freedom of movement, so you'll usually need a Non-Lucrative Visa to live here without working. I'll confirm the right route for your circumstances before you spend anything.
How long does the Non-Lucrative Visa take?
It varies by consulate, but most cases run to a few months from starting the documents to approval. I manage the order things are done in, so nothing expires while you're waiting on something else.
Can I buy a property before my visa is approved?
You can, but owning a property doesn't give you the right to live here. The two processes are usually best sequenced together, and I'll tell you honestly if the order you're planning is going to cause you a problem.
Will you come with me to appointments?
Yes, and for most of my clients that's the main reason they hire me. I attend the notary, the police station and the town hall with you and I do the talking. If you can't travel to me, I'll come to you.
Do you work with people who don't speak any Spanish?
That's most of my clients. I deal with the Spanish authorities directly and explain everything back to you in plain English.
Can I swap my UK or Irish driving licence, or do I need a test?
It depends on your circumstances, and I'll confirm the current position for you directly rather than guess — this is one area where the rules move, so I check before advising. Get in touch and I'll tell you where you stand.
Tell me what you're trying to do
No forms to fill in and no charge for the first conversation. I'll tell you honestly what it takes.